1973 in comics
Notable events of 1973 in comics.
Events and publications
Year overall
- Dell Comics, after 44 years in the comics business, ceases publication; a few of the company's former titles moved to Gold Key Comics.
- Archie Comics publisher John L. Goldwater licenses Archie for evangelical Christian messages; the comics are written and illustrated by Archie regular Al Hartley and published by Spire Christian Comics.
- Cartoonists Co-Op Press is founded by underground cartoonists Kim Deitch, Bill Griffith, Jerry Lane, Jay Lynch, Willy Murphy, Diane Noomin, and Art Spiegelman in San Francisco.
- In Diane Noomin's book Canarsie Creeps, her character DiDi Glitz makes her debut.
- Irjax Enterprises, a comic book distributor based in Rockville, Maryland, formed. Under the name New Media/Irjax, the company later expanded its distribution business and moved into publishing as well.
- Greek artist Vangelis Saitis starts working on the comic series Pepito Gonzales. He is only 14 years old when his work is published in the magazine Mikros Cow-Boy.
January
January 11: F'Murr publishes the first episode of Le Génie des Alpages in Pilote.January 3: Bamse's own comic book makes its debut.January 4: In Pilote the first chapter of the Astérix story Asterix in Corsica is published by Goscinny and Uderzo.- January 25: In Pilote, the first chapter of the Lucky Luke story Le grand duc by Goscinny and Morris is published.Amazing Adventures #16 and Thor #207 present the Marvel portion of a metafictional unofficial crossover spanning titles from both major comics companies. The DC chapter appeared with a 1972 cover date. Each comic featured writers Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, and Len Wein, as well as Wein's first wife Glynis, interacting with Marvel or DC characters at the Rutland Halloween Parade in Rutland, Vermont. Beginning in Amazing Adventures #16, the story continued in Justice League of America #103, and concluded in Thor #207.Teen Titans, with issue #43, suspends publication.
February
February 4: The first episode of Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible is published.February 24: The final episode of the biblical text comic Illustrated Sunday School Lesson is published, which ran since 1931.February 25: In Corriere dei Ragazzi, Gli aristocratici debuts, a gang of gentlemen thieves, created by Alfredo Castelli and Ferdinando Tacconi.Action Comics, with #421, Green Arrow became a backup feature, initially rotating with the Human Target and the Atom.Doom Patrol vol. 1, with issue #122, is revived by DC after being cancelled in 1968.Metal Men, with issue #42, is revived by DC after being cancelled in 1970.FOOM #1, Marvel's in-house fanzineMarch
March 19: The first episode of Toon van Driel's long-running comic strip is published.- Robert Crumb and Aline Kominsky publish the first of many crossover comics, where they write and draw themselves and their supposed married lives.
April
April 5: In Pilote, the Blueberry story Le hors-la-loi, by Jean-Michel Charlier and Jean Giraud is published.April 8: In Topolino, Paperinika e il filo di Arianna, by Guido Martina and Giorgio Cavazzano is published, which marks the debut of Super Daisy and her helper Genialina Edy Son.April 9: First issue of I quaderni del fumetto, reprints of Italian and American classic comics.April 12 : in Pilote, first chapter of Le hors la loi, by Jean-Michel Charlier and Jean Giraud, introducing the Blueberry saga "The plot against Grant".April 17: The final episode of, Robert Hamilton and Richard Klokkers's Aafje Anders is published.- In Pif Gadget, Leopardi by Hugo Pratt is published, the final episode of the Corto Maltese's "Ethiopic cicle".Specific date in April unknown: Dutch illustrator and comic artist Eppo Doeve is knighted in the Order of Orange-Nassau.
May
May 8 : in Le journal de Tintin, first chapter of Enquête dans le passé by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet.May 23: Oğuz Aral's Avanak Avni makes its debut.Night Nurse, with issue #4, is cancelled by Marvel.- In Brazil. Peninha em: Morcego Vermelho, by Ivan Saidenberg and Carlos Edgard Herrero; debut of Red Bat, super-heroic identity of Fethry Duck.
June
June 11: The first episode of Glupy by Juan Díaz Rodriguez is published.June 14: In Pilote, the first chapter of the Valérian and Laureline story Birds of the master, by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières is publishedJune 25: The final episode of Quino's Mafalda is published.June 29: The final issue of the Spanish comics magazine En Patufet is published.Detective Comics, with issue #435 begins a bimonthly schedule. Doom Patrol vol 1., with issue #125, canceled by DC.- "The Night Gwen Stacy Died" story arc begins in The Amazing Spider-Man #121, written by Gerry Conway, with art by Gil Kane. Crazy, with issue #3, canceled by Marvel.
- Number 0 of Undercomics, with the first episode of Cronache del dopobomba, dystopic comics by Bonvi, on texts by the songwriter Francesco Guccini. For the new magazine Silver realizes the first strips of Lupo Alberto.
- In Eureka, first chapter of Fouchè, un uomo nella rivoluzione by Max Bunker and Paolo Piffarerio.
July
July 20: The first episode of Howard Rands' newspaper gag comic Twitch appears in print. The series will run until 1997. World's Finest Comics #218: Metamorpho becomes the backup feature after a brief run in Action Comics- First issue of the SF series UFO, by Renzo Barbieri and Vladimiro Missaglia, a virtual plagiarism of the TV series of the same name.
August
August 2: In Pilote, the first chapter of the Lucky Luke story L'Héritage de Rantanplan, by Goscinny and Morris is published.August 16: The final episode of René Goscinny and Jean Tabary's Valentin Le Vagabond is published in Pilote.Metal Men, with issue #44 goes on hiatus, to be revived in 1976. Shanna the She-Devil, with issue #5, is cancelled by Marvel.September
September 16: In the Italian Disney magazine Topolino, Paperino spia , by Jerry Siegel and Romano Scarpa is published, in which Gyro Gearloose temporarily becomes a criminal.September 19: In Journal de Tintin, the first chapter of the Michel Vaillant story Cauchemar by Jean Graton is published.- In Grim Wit Den by Richard Corben makes its debut.
- The final issue of the underground comix magazine Yellow Dog is published.
October
October 7: In Il Giornalino, Massimo Mattioli's Pinky makes its debut.October 15: In Le Nouvel Observateur, the first episode of Claire Bretécher's Les Frustrés is published. It will run until 1981.October 22: In Pif Gadget Milo Marat by Bonvi and Mario Gomboli make their debut, a parody of dime novel heroes.- Detective Comics, with issue #437, is edited by Archie Goodwin, who in a back-up feature introduces a revival of the "Manhunter" feature with artist Walt Simonson.
- Strange Adventures, with issue #244, canceled by DC Comics.
- Archie Comics revives its Red Circle Comics superhero imprint, as Red Circle takes over Chilling Adventures in Sorcery as told by Sabrina with issue #3, changing its name to Chilling Adventures in Sorcery.
- Savage Tales, after a 17-month hiatus, resumes publishing with issue #2.
- Vampire Tales #2: The first appearance of Satana, drawn by John Romita
- Diavolinus, supplement to Linus, focused on the devil's theme; it contains, inter alia, the erotic fantasy Annalisa e il diavolo by Guido Buzzelli
November
Kull the Conqueror, with issue #11, changes its name to Kull the Destroyer. Marvel Feature, with issue #12, is canceled by Marvel.- First issue of Cosmine, Italian sexy SF series, written by Silverio Pisu.
December
Millie the Model, with issue #207, canceled by Marvel.From Beyond the Unknown, with issue #25, canceled by DC.- In Tintin selection, Le Trio maléfique by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet.
Births
January 25: Geoff Johns, American comic book writer and executive.Deaths
January
January 10: Charles Flanders, American comics artist, dies at age 65.February
February 10: Chester Sullivan, American comics artist, dies at age 74. February 27: Bill Everett, American comics artist, dies at age 55.March
March 1: Elpidio Torres, Filipino comics artist, dies at age 47.March 4: Walt Ditzen, American comics artist, dies at age 58.March 14: Chic Young, American comics artist, dies at age 72.April
April 8: Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter and sculptor, dies at age 91.April 10: Robert Collard, aka Lortac, French writer, caricaturist, comics writer and artist, illustrator, novelist, painter, art critic, animator, animated film director, dies at age 88.May
May 3: Jean Bosc, A.K.A. Bosc, French editorial cartoonist and animator, commits suicide at age 48. May 13: Hans Brasch, German painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 91.May 21: Yuliy Ganf, Ukrainian cartoonist, painter and illustrator, dies at age 74.May 26: Coulton Waugh, American comics artist, dies at age 77.June
June 3: Syd Shores, American comics artist, dies at age 59 from a heart attack.June 17: Peter Lutz, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 73.Specific date unknown: Werner Roth, American comics artist, dies at age 52.July
July 16: Feg Murray, American athlete, radio presenter and cartoonist, dies at age 79.July 23: Eddie Rickenbacker, American military pilot and comics writer, dies at age 82.July 25: Marcel Jeanjean, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 80.Specific date unknown: Clifton Meek, American comics artist, dies at age 95.August
August 20: Wam Heskes, Dutch painter, comics artist, illustrator and performer, dies at age 82.September
September 5: Ron Vivian, Australian comics artist, dies at age 59.September 7: Gaston Ebinger, aka Mop, Belgian illustrator, greeting card designer, advertising artist and comics artist, dies at age 71.September 27: André Rigal, French animator and comic artist, dies at age 75. Specific date unknown: Joe Doyle, Irish comics artist, dies at age 85.October
October 10: Austin Briggs, American comics artist, dies of leukemia at age 65.October 18: Walt Kelly, American comics artist, dies at age 60.October 25: Sebastiano Craveri, Italian comics artist, dies at age 84.October 28: Sergio Tòfano, Italian actor, playwright and comics artist, dies at age 87.November
November 18: Frank Hutchinson, American comics artist, dies at age 101.November 25: Rex Maxon, American comics artist, dies at age 81.December
December 20: George Debels, aka Joe Stan, Belgian-Dutch animator, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 83.Specific date unknown
- Pierre Billon, French illustrator, translator and comics artist, dies at age 73 or 74.
- Ion Deak-Cluj, Romanian comics artist, dies at age 35 or 36.
- Phil DeLara, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 59.
- Charles Donelan, American comics artist, dies at age 83 or 84.
- Jack Glass, Scottish comics artist, dies at an unknown age.
- Philip Mendoza, aka Flam or Flambo, British comics artist, illustrator and political cartoonist, dies at age 74 or 75.
- Gajo Sakamoto, Japanese manga artist, dies at age 77 or 78.
- Alfred Sindall, British comic artist, dies at age 72 or 73.
- Liu Xijong, Chinese comics artist, dies at age 58 or 59.
Conventions
Europe
February 24: Comic Mart — second such event, organized by Rob Barrow and Nick LandauApril 21–23: German Comicon — organized by German fan organization INCOS, est. 1970July 22: Comicon '73 — Comic Mart organizers Nick Landau and Rob Barrow salvage convention canceled at the last minute by Bram Stokes and John Mansfield and originally scheduled to take place over two days at the Regent Centre HotelOctober 28–November 3: Salone Internazionale dei Comics a.k.a. "Lucca 9"North America
January 19–21: Infinity '73 — science fiction/comics conventionJanuary 25–26: Cosmicon II April 20–22: Berkeleycon 73, — first convention that really highlighted underground comix; guests included Spain Rodriguez, Shary Flenniken, Dennis Kitchen, Jaxon, Guy Colwell, Trina Robbins, Dave Sheridan,, George DiCaprio, Michelle Brand, and Bobby London. Bud Plant's retail business Comics & Comix acquires over 4,000 Golden Age comic books owned by Tom Reilly.May 18–20: Chicago Comic Con — ; produced by Mark Lully of Atlantis Bookstore; guests include Stan Lee, Jim Steranko, and Mike Hinge; admission $5 for all 3 daysMay 25–28 : Detroit Triple Fan Fair I, — guests include Jerry BailsJune 21–24: Houstoncon '73 — c. 2,000 attendees; guests include Kirk Alyn, Frank Coghlan, Jr., William Benedict, William Witney, Dave Sharpe, Al Williamson, and Don Newton; convention notorious for a major van crash involving Robert Beerbohm, Bud Plant, and others as they were leaving the conventionJune 27–July 1: D-Con '73 — guests include Harlan Ellison, William Gaines, Burne Hogarth, Andrew J. Offutt, and Jerry Bails; tickets $7.50 at the doorJuly 4–8: Comic Art Convention — guests include Dr. Fredric Wertham, John Putnam, Jerry DeFuccio, Paul Gulacy, Bob Brown, Marie Severin, Tony Isabella, Elliot S. Maggin, Julius Schwartz, Guy H. Lillian III, C. C. Beck, Dave Cockrum, Gil Kane, Rick Durell, Gray Morrow, Dwight Decker, and Russell MyersAugust: Metro Con — organized and produced by Gary Groth and Warren Bernard; guests include Michael Kaluta, Jeff Jones, Dennis O'Neil, Bernie Wrightson, Walt Simonson, Howard Chaykin, and Archie Goodwin. Showing of the film 1932 horror film Freaks. Final edition of this convention.August 3–5: Nostalgia '73, 2nd Annual Chicago Comic and Nostalgia Convention — produced by Nancy WarnerAugust 16–19 — San Diego Comic-Con — 1,000+ attendees. Official guests: Neal Adams, D.C. Fontana, June Foray, Mike Friedrich, Carmine InfantinoAugust 24–26: Cleveland Comic Convention — produced by Vladimir Swyrinsky and sponsored by WMMS; guests include Val Mayerik, Dan Adkins, Paul Gulacy, Tony Isabella, and P. Craig RussellOctober: Buffalo Marvelous Con — guests include Gil Kane and Phil SeulingOctober 18–21: Detroit Triple Fan Fair II, — guests include Barry Windsor-Smith, Michael Kaluta, George A. Romero, and Russ HeathDecember 2: Oak Con I — produced by Steve SundahlAwards
Comic Fan Art Awards
For comics published in 1973. Presented at the 1974 Comic Art Convention, held July 4–8, 1974, at the Commodore Hotel, New York City; and published in The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom #63.Favorite Pro Artist: Bernie WrightsonFavorite Pro Writer: Len WeinFavorite Pro Editor: Roy ThomasFavorite Pro Comic Book: Swamp Thing Favorite Comic-Book Story: "Night of the Bat," by Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson, and Joe Orlando in Swamp Thing #7 Favorite Comic-Book Character: ConanFavorite Fanzine: The Comic Reader Favorite Fan Writer: Don & Maggie ThompsonFavorite Fan Artist: Don NewtonShazam Awards
Presented in 1974 for comics published in 1973:Best Continuing Feature: Swamp Thing Best Individual Story: "Song of Red Sonja", by Roy Thomas and Barry Smith, Conan the Barbarian #24 Best Individual Short Story : "The Himalayan Incident", by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson, Detective Comics #437 Best Writer : Archie GoodwinBest Penciller : Berni WrightsonBest Inker : Dick GiordanoBest Humor Story: "The Gourmet", Plop! #1 Best Writer :- *
- * Steve SkeatesBest Penciller : Marie SeverinBest Inker : Ralph ReeseBest Letterer: Gaspar SaladinoBest Colorist: Glynis WeinBest Foreign Comic Series: Lieutenant BlueberryOutstanding New Talent :
- * Walt Simonson
- * Jim StarlinSuperior Achievement by an Individual: Richard CorbenHall of Fame: Carl Barks
First issues by title
DC Comics
Black Magic: selected reprints of 1950 Prize Comics series.Plop!
Prez
'Shazam!'''''
Marvel Comics
Crazy: precursor to Crazy MagazineCrazy Magazine
Dead of Night
Dracula Lives!
Ghost Rider vol. 2
Monster of Frankenstein
Monsters Unleashed
Spider-Man Comics Weekly
Tales of the Zombie
Vampire Tales
War is Hell
'Worlds Unknown'''''
Independent titles
;BoboCutie Honey
E-Man
'The Occult Files of Dr. Spektor'''''
Initial appearances by character name
DC Comics
Abigail Arcane, in Swamp Thing #3- Anton Arcane, in Swamp Thing #01 Black Orchid, in Adventure Comics #428 Freedom Fighters, in Justice League of America #107
- *Uncle Sam, in Justice League of America #107
- *Phantom Lady, in Justice League of America #107
- *Ray, in Justice League of America #107
- *Human Bomb, in Justice League of America #107
- *Black Condor, in Justice League of America #107
- Hunter, in Superboy #199 Klarion the Witch Boy, in The Demon #7 Steve Lombard, in Superman #264 Mister Miracle (Shilo Norman), in Mister Miracle #15
- Prez, in Prez #01 Spook, in Detective Comics #434
- The Shadow, in Shadow #01 Tyr, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #197
- Wildfire, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #195